As far as Saturday nights go, last night was a pretty good one.  It commenced with a fine farewell party/dart tournament for Dan Orrico and Rod Rodriguez at, wait for it, Dolce Vita Pub.  The evening (for me at least) ending with a Korea victory over Greece in the opening round of the World Cup.
Some of us brought along some vittles to supplement the Dolce menu.  My contribution was pulled pork barbecue, slow roasted in the ol’ crock pot.  It seemed to go over well enough as indicated by a lack of leftovers.  Then again, there was a huge crowd.  28 teams in the doubles tournament which may be a record for Dolce.  Even though my mediocre darts resulted in a two and out for me and my partner, it took a couple of hours to be eliminated.  The tourney was still going strong when I departed the bar.

In addition to the large dart crowd, there was a small but vocal contingent of Koreans watching the football (soccer) game.  I’m no fan of the sport, but there was some strong energy pulsating in Seoul for the Red Devils last night and I couldn’t help but catch the buzz.  Long after I had retired to bed and well into the wee morning hours I could hear drunk Koreans celebrating (screaming loudly) as they meandered home through the streets of my normally quiet neighborhood.

Today Tom and Yuli Randolph are hosting a barbecue get together in honor of Rod and Dano.  We’ll be bringing some Galbi for the grill, watermelon and the pineapple upside down cake I’m fixin’ to bake.  Unlike last night, I intend to remember my camera so I can capture the highlights for posterity.

Well, I’ve finally got around to watching the television series “Lost”.  I’m up to episode 20 of Season 1 thus far.  I’m going to reserve judgment till the story develops a little more (assuming it will).  Suffice to say up to this point, Ms. Kim Yun-jin is the best thing about the show…

Anyway, thus far it’s been fun to see some of the stereotypes of Koreans portrayed on American television.  I’ve heard the two Korean characters will develop into more than caricatures as the series progresses. 

Another aspect I’ve enjoyed is that Lost was filmed in Hawaii and I’ve been spotting some of the places I visited during my vacation there this year.

Things have been pretty quiet here on the Korean peninsula.  Maybe too quiet.  Although there was a slight thrill Sunday morning.  I’m laying on the couch watching Season 4 of House when all the sudden this air raid siren goes off.  At first I thought it was coming from the TV, but that didn’t make sense.  So, I get up and go to the balcony looking for incoming artillery but it all seemed normal outside.  After a couple of minutes the siren stopped.  I’m told that Sunday was the Korean memorial day.  Well, geez.  I can think of better ways to recognize fallen war heroes than blasting an alarm during a period when tensions are running high with the whacko’s up north.  Ah well.

Anyway, Popular Mechanics  brings us the three things to fear should war break out in Korea.  Oddly enough, my dying is not among them (although I guess that is implied).

1.  North Korea already knows our war plan.  Hmm, no surprise there.  This country is thick with spies and hackers.  ROKDrop has a post up about the female spies who trade sex for secrets, like Won Jeong-hwa:

She’s no Natasha, but…

2. North Korea uses its vast chemical weapon arsenal.  Well, I do have a USFK-issued gas mask in the closet.  Maybe I’ll even be at home if I ever need it.

3.  Flash floods become weapons.  Well, I’m kinda up on a hill, so of the three scenarios this is the one I could most likely “live” with the best.

Anyway, in all seriousness I’m not worried. Much.

80 days to go.

Reader Keith expressed his appreciation for yesterday’s photo of the ROK soldier, so how about a look at a North Korean traffic cop?

Wanna see her “in action”?  Of course you do!

As long as I know there are ROK soldiers like this ready to protect me, I’ve got nothing to worry about…

Thanks to ROKDrop for the photo!